About the Witches Cup
WITCHES CUP RETURNS TO SALEM COMMON
On Wednesday, August 11th, Salem comes alive with the unmistakable bee-hive
hum of professional bicycle racing. North Shore residents and bicycling
fans from across the country will experience one of the country’s
most unique bicycle races.
FRONT-ROW ACTION
The 2010 Witches Cup will provide cycling fans a breath taking front-row
seat at a professional cycling event. With speeds averaging 25-35 mph and
reaching up to 45 mph during sprints and attacks, an exciting race is guaranteed.
One hundred riders compete throughout the 70 lap, 35 mile race around the
historic Salem Common. The crowds are just feet from the racers and can
see all the action during the ½ mile loop around the Salem Common.
JOIN US AT THE HOSPITALITY TENT
Wachusett Brewing Company will be hosting the hospitality tent for the second year.
Join us for a craft brew on a great summer afternoon of racing. One-half
of the proceeds from the sales go to the Salem Common General Fund so that
we can all enjoy the Common for years to come.
FREE MOVIE: “BREAKING AWAY”
We will be presenting a FREE showing of Breaking Away at 10am, Saturday August 7th
Everyone is welcome! Get in the racing spiri with a film that has inspired generations of pro and amateur
cyclists!
NATIONALLY RANKED - LOCAL ROOTS
Confirmed for this year Witches Cup is Beverly native Tim Johnson,
team captain of the HealthNet Pro
Cycling Team, Multiple National Cyclocross Champion and winner of Australia's
Herald Sun Tour. Racing in the Women’s event, and a Beverly resident,
is Lyne Bessette, two-time member of the Canadian Olympic team, winner of
the prestigious Tour de l'Aude Feminin as and the 2001 Women's Challenge,
as well as the Beijing Olympic Cycling commentator in 2004. Also racing
in the Women's event is the Boston Bike Czar and former US Olympic Cyclist,
Nicole Freedman.
The Witches Cup is a spectacular race course and I look forward to racing in front of friends and family. After traveling around the country I can't wait to get back in front of the home crowd. Tim Johnson
THE SCHEDULE
This year, the Witches Cup features racing at all levels. The races begin
with the Amateur Men's race at 4:45 pm. It's quickly followed
with the Women's race at 5:45pm. The racing concludes with the Elite
Men's race starting at 6:45pm. The awards ceremony starts at 8:00.
ABOUT THE RACE
The Witches Cup, Salem's cycling race is returning for its fourth year
after the successful rebirth of the historic race. In the cycling boom of
the 1980s, Salem proudly hosted annual elite caliber bicycle events with
national exposure. In 2000, the Witches Cup was part of the America’s
Cup. The first edition Witches Cup ran from 1979 to 2001 as a top-level
national event with such cyclists as Eric Heiden, Leonard Nitz and Frankie
Andreau. Race organizers have revived Salem’s strong bicycle racing
tradition and made the 2009 Witches Cup a highly anticipated event. The
2009 Witches Cup is hosted by Salem Cycle and team Comprehensive Racing
Schedule
• 4:45pm Amateur Men (Cat 4/5)
• 5:45pm Women (Cat 1-4)
• 6:10pm Amateur Men Awards
• 6:45pm Elite Men (P,1,2,3)
• 8:00pm Awards Ceremony: Women & Elite Men
Salem Cycle was founded in 2000 by Dan Shuman, 2010 Salem Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year, with a goal to make Salem
the cycling destination of the North Shore. Salem Cycle caters to all levels
of cyclists and sponsors Comprehensive Racing, a local racing club, with
a common mission of bringing bicycle racing back to Salem. Salem Cycle is
a full service bicycle shop that also sponsors social group rides and supports numerous
racers, teams and community events. The shop's famous logo -- a witch riding
a bicycle -- is prominently featured on many racers' uniforms and recreational
cycle gear. Salem Cycle is also working with the Salem Bike Path Committee
to make cycling safer in Salem and all over the North Shore.
For more information on Salem Cycle visit www.salemcycle.com.
Comprehensive Racing is a small cycling/triathlon team based on the north
shore of MA, Worcester, and southern NH. The team began as a group of 3
athletes in 2001 and has since grown into one of the most welcoming and
successful multi-sport teams in New England. Comprehensive Racing is now
a group of about 50 athletes working to successfully balance the sports
of triathlon and cycling, with the demands of life, family and friends.
For more information visit www.comprehensive-racing.com.
